Best Locations for Ice Fishing in the Midwest (Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Illinois, North Dakota)

Feb 9, 2025

If you’ve found yourself longing for a lake day, filled with sunshine, crystal clear water, and day day of fishing, we get it. We feel the same way! Alas, winter is here to stay for at least another few months, but you needn’t despair! You can still enjoy a day outdoors with your fishing pals, just might need a few layers to keep out that wind chill, because we’re going ice fishing! While it’s not quite a day out on the boat, ice fishing is still a very productive hobby for “off season” anglers. Ice fisherman report record weights and sizes with species such as bluegill, yellow perch, crappie, walleye, northern pike, whitefish and if you’re lucky you might even catch a trout or two.

You’ll need a little extra equipment to help you get started, but we bet you’ll find it a worthy investment for your new hobby! You’ll need enough line to drop your bait between 50” to 100” down where the fish are hibernating. Basic ice fishing equipment includes: a portable ice shanty, ice pick and ice auger, ice scoop, bucket, sled, pliers, ice fishing rods and line, split shot weights, hooks, bait (such as wax worms, maggots, wigglers, minnows.) Remember to also apply and acquire the necessary fishing and hunting permits and licenses for the regions you’ll be exploring to avoid fines.

Experienced fisherman recommend wearing something thick and warm, some reactive hand warmers, flexible but thick gloves, and several layers of clothing. Consider packing some extra clothes in a backpack or duffel just in case of any mishaps, should you happen to slip into any water you’ll need to take wet clothes off quickly and change to something dry and warm asap. You’ll also want some footwear that can handle walking on the ice with stability.

If you’re new to ice fishing, you’ll want to book a charter trip out with a guide to make sure you learn the ropes for safety. Check out groups like Trophy Ice Fish in Sturgeon Bay, Beyond the Catch Guide Service in Bayfield, JJ’s Guide Service in Brussels, Great River Outdoors in Onalaska, Jack’s Charter Service in Milwaukee, Silver Strike Ice in Door County, MQT Adventures in Marquette, Cold Catch Ice Fishing in Brussels, Storm Hawk Sport Fishing Charters in Traverse City.

Devils Lake in North Dakota has the claim to fame as the number one North American ice fishing destination. More than 15,000 fishermen head out for a day on the ice annually, and it’s easy to see why. You can catch a generous amount of fish each day: 20 perch, 5 pike and walleye. There are also more indoor, heated fish-cleaning stations (heated ice house rentals) per capita than any other area. Plus, there’s lots of lodging resorts and motels in the area which often provide guided ice fishing experiences including everything you need to catch, unless you prefer the DIY approach. If you snag a license (age 16+) you can even try your hand at darkhouse spearfishing!

Bay de Noc in Michigan is located in Delta County, the longest freshwater shoreline of any county in the US and a top contender for ice fishing! Don’t believe us? The numbers don’t lie: folks report some serious trophy catches like a 32” walleye at 14lbs, and a 54” 43 pound sturgeon! It’s best to do an early morning or last light trip, so you’ll definitely have something for both the night owls and the early risers to enjoy. Check out places like Escanaba Municipal Marina, Gladstone Marina, Twin Springs, Fayette State Park, Nahma, and Portage Bay State Forest Campground just to name a few.

Leech Lake in Minnesota is a wonderful place to fish year round, but in the winter it’s a great spot to snag some walleyes and perch in particular. Bear Island and Pine Point are two areas of note for anglers to try if you’re heading out on your own. Guided tours such as Leech Lake Fish House Rentals, Leech Lake Adventure Rentals, Whitney’s Leech Lake Guide Service, and Leech Lake Guide Service can ensure that every member of your party will have a great time, even if it’s their first time ice fishing.

Red Lake in Minnesota has built a solid reputation for ice fishing, especially an incredible population of walleye. It’s important to note some areas of the lake are not open to the public, so you’ll want to stick to clearly designated areas. The shallow depths make it a very quick freeze, and seasons can open as early as October or November. You can book an overnight accommodation for some night fishing, or rent an ice house for just the day if you’d prefer; some local resorts and lodgings will even charter you out to the ice on the lake if you need a ride. Other fish in the area include Black Crappie, Goldeye, Rock Bass, Yellow Perch, and more.

Sturgeon Bay in Wisconsin will make all your angler dreams come true thanks to the wide variety of fish all year round, and the real prize-winning sizes of catch! Most commonly you’ll find whitefish, walleyes, northern pike, and yellow perch. The ice fishing season here runs generally December through March, weather permitting; January and February you’ll find more permanent, heated ice houses on the frozen lake as well as special vehicle charters designed for deep snow travel. Remember to still dress warmly even if you’ve rented a heated ice house for the day, because the ice plus winds make it feel much colder than you’d expect.

Lake County Forest Preserves in Illinois offer ice fishing at Banana Lake in Wauconda, Independence Grove’s South Bat in Libertyville, and Sterling LAke at Van Patten Woods. It’s important that you check in with your local bait shops to make sure the ice conditions are safe in each area; if you’re given the okay from local experts, double check the ice when you arrive to be safe – it should be 4” thick minimum and be able to support your weight fully! You’ll find a variety of fish including walleye, northern pike, and panfish such as bluegill, crappie, and yellow perch.

Other areas of note for ice fishing include: